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We will soon know if Brian Waters has decided to attend the Chiefs mandatory mini-camp that starts today, but as Kent Babb reports the team is ready for this weekend with or without the veteran guard.

Waters didn’t attend any of the Chiefs’ offseason practices, which were considered optional. The stakes change today, though, as the team begins a three-day mandatory mini-camp at Chiefs headquarters. If Waters is a no-show this weekend, the league’s collective bargaining agreement states he could be fined up to $8,000 per day.

Haley said this week that he expects all players — Waters and linebacker Mike Vrabel have skipped all organized team activities — to be on the practice field this weekend.

“I’m assuming that since it’s a mandatory camp that everyone will be here. I’ll be excited to get any of those players who haven’t been here into the mix and trying to get them ready to try to help us in some way, shape or form.”

Still, the uncertainty leaves the Chiefs in a precarious situation. Waters was considered a much-needed team leader and voice of optimism the last two seasons, when the Chiefs won just six times in 32 games, and he was designated as a mentor for young players such as second-year tackle Branden Albert. Now, Waters is seen as a question mark at best — and a malcontent at worst. Either way, the Chiefs must decide what to do with Waters before an already volatile situation enters its next phase.

After missing a charity event earlier in the week, there was speculation that maybe he wasn’t expected to attend. But the charity’s executive director Amy Stoll said Waters was expected to attend the event.

“Maybe something came up. We’re not going to disown him because he didn’t come.”

Will he? Won’t he? We should know within a few hours when the players show up to the Truman Sports Complex. Even if he shows up to save the $8,000 per day, he’ll have to explain why he decided to abandon the First Downs For Down Syndrome charity event. Just like the team, I am ready to move forward one way or another after today.